HMRC pauses some refund claims for agents
Due to security concerns, HMRC has warned that it will not process refund claims made by authorised agents. What’s going on and what alternatives are available?
An increase in fraudulent requests for money to be repaid has led HMRC to stop accepting claims made by phone, even where there is an appropriate authority in place. This includes the agent dedicated line, and the online webchat. Agents are being advised to make a claim via a tax return or through their Agent Services Account. It is currently not clear if, or when, phone requests will start to be accepted again. In addition, HMRC is asking agents to:
- be extra vigilant for phishing scams
- choose strong passwords and to change them regularly; and
- pay close attention to HMRC’s advice regarding account security, particularly in the event of an agent account suspension.
Related Topics
-
Was a company buyback of EIS shares tax avoidance?
Two taxpayers used the “purchase of own shares” procedure to extract gains they’d made from enterprise investment scheme (EIS) shares. HMRC said this was unfair tax avoidance, the taxpayers disagreed. What did the Upper Tribunal decide?
-
HMRC’s new compliance check service
HMRC has published a collection of videos and notes to help if you’re picked for a compliance check. Is HMRC’s new service worth a look or is it just official propaganda?
-
Income sharing trouble for separated couple
After a couple separated one spouse received income from letting the property she jointly owned with her estranged spouse. HMRC taxed all the income on her. Was it right to do so or should her spouse have been taxed on half the income?